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February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Resume Gaps

Drawing of a typewriter with the words "Dear Employment Specialist"Dear Joanna,

I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and out of the workforce for about 15 years. Now I need a job for financial reasons. Do you have any suggestions as to how to overcome this gap in my work history?

Signed: Returning To Work (RTW)


Dear RTW

Let’s start with your resume. According to JVS Employment Counsellors, if your gap covers two or more calendar years, you need to explain this absence from the workforce.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider volunteer work as relevant experience.

If you volunteered in the community and/or at your kid’s school, this should be included in your resume and social media profiles. This experience is valid and you can add this in your resume under “Professional Experience” or “Experience”. Articulate the skills and qualifications that you learned and acquired in volunteering. For example, I am sure that you have been managing your home and multiple projects (programs) that involved your kids over the past few years. This could be translated into program or project management skills.

2. Volunteering.

It is always a great idea to continue volunteering in a position (if possible) or in an organization that is related to your ultimate job goal. This is a great way to keep your resume and experience fresh as well as build your professional network.

3. Gap coverage.

Create a section in your resume and LinkedIn profile entitled “Other Experience” after your “Relevant Professional Experience”. In your case, you might include phrases with the dates such as “Full-Time Parent”, “Home Management”, “Family Management”, and “Family Financial Management”.

4. Build your professional network.

Most jobs are found through contacts. Use social media and information interviews to meet successful leaders in your field. Identify the professional associations, conferences, trade magazines, organizations and events relevant to your career goal. Participate in these activities. You may even find your long lost colleagues. Try to reconnect with them on LinkedIn (or even Facebook might work for your situation).

5. Research the labour market.

You are in the same boat as a new graduate or newcomer to Canada, in the sense that you are starting a new career. Learn as much as you can about your field and profession as well as its leaders, the requirements, the shortages and the education required. You may need to requalify, recertify or learn new technical skills. Target companies where you would like to work, visit their websites, analyze the job openings and speak to as many professionals in your field as possible.

Joanna

By Donna Chabot Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: gaps, job gaps, resume, resume gaps, work history

August 25, 2014 2 Comments

Resume Writing Basics – Step 4: How to Write an Impressive Employment History

Business woman hand typing on laptop keyboardOnce your Profile Summary has been written for your resume, the next step — arguably the most important — is to showcase your work history in an easy to read, yet comprehensive way.

When reading through a work history, employers look for certain information.

  • Solid work history — that goes back 10-15 years, without too many unexplained gaps
  • Consistency — not too many job changes over a short period of time; employers are often suspicious of frequent hopping from one job to another
  • Career progression — evidence of being promoted from one position to another more senior one
  • Diverse skills — record of new skills being learned

[Read more…]

By Karin Lewis Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: accomplishments, chronological, chronological resume, relevant work history, resume, resume format, resume writing, work history

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